Travis Audubon Travis Audubon · 2000-08-31 · TrAVis AUdUBON siGNAL sMOKE / Jan/Feb 2013 3 2012...

Dotty told the crowd: “I want to thank all of you for thinking I am worthy of such an award. It lets me know that being young doesn’t keep you from being important to a project.”

Other speakers on the program included Victor Emanuel, for whom the award was named and the 2010 honoree, and Andrew Sansom, the 2011 honoree.

The centerpiece of the event—the live auction—proved to be lively as guests bid on birding trips to Brenham and the Rio Grande Valley. Other getaways included weekends at Falcon Point Lodge near Seadrift and Carter Smith’s Hill Country ranch. Finally, Bastrop artist Margie Crisp will be leading a lucky group of eight on a canoe excursion down the Colorado River with an overnight campout. In all, the auction raised $7,500.

Guests also gave enthusiastic support to the 2012 Fund-a-Cause, raising a total of $27,850. The bulk of those donations will be used to “burn the mortgage” for lots purchased as a protective buffer for the Chaetura Canyon preserve in West Travis County. Also, enough money was raised to begin working on a land conservation challenge grant offered by the Malcolm C. Damuth Foundation. This grant will be used for future purchases of undeveloped habitat.

Travis Audubon enjoyed its most successful annual fundraiser in October with the Victor Emanuel Conservation Awards Luncheon. An enthusiastic crowd

of 250 supporters turned out to honor Carter Smith, executive director of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, and to make generous donations in support of Travis Audubon’s activities and conservation programs.

In accepting the 2012 conservation award for environmental leadership, Smith urged guests to rededicate themselves to conserving habitat and recognizing the organizations engaged in that work.

“We are extraordinarily blessed with not only a nature worth saving, not only a nature worth stewarding, but also a nature worth sharing,” Smith said. “This extraordinary organization that is Travis Audubon needs our support. Their sanctuaries in and of themselves are biologically incredibly unique places.”

Attendees were also delighted to watch Dotty Woods, 12, accept the first Youth Conservation Award at the luncheon held at the Austin Hyatt Regency. Dotty, who was honored for her volunteer work to restore Blair Woods in East Austin, was accompanied by her parents, William and Michael Shannon Woods, and grandmother, Karon Smutzer.

VOLUME 62, NO. 1 Inspiring Conservation Through Birding Jan/Feb 2013

Travis AudubonSignal Smoke

T r a v i s A u d u b o n

The crowd raises their hands in support of land acquisition, donating more than $27,000.

2012 Fundraiser the Best Yet

Carter Smith and Dotty Woods, our two Conservation Award recipients. All photos this page: Brenda Ladd

Nancy Manning presents Dotty Woods with Travis Audubon’s first Youth Conservation Award.

Carter Smith receives a standing ovation after accepting the Victor Emanuel Conservation Award.

continued on page 3

Travis Audubon3710 Cedar Street, Box 5

Austin, TX. 78705Phone numbers below are

in the 512 area code.

OFFicErs ANd dirEcTOrs2012-2013

President Caroline Jones Vice President Mary Kelly Treasurer Ruth Pelphrey secretary Jorjanna Price directors Valarie Bristol Clif Ladd Sam Fason Kelly Logan Cullen Hanks Barry Lyon Shelia Hargis Jo Wilson

Executive director Nancy Manning 300-BIRD

Office Administrator/Membership Director/ Volunteer Manager Megan Taylor 300-BIRD

Media Producer Anna Sherlock 300-BIRDGrant Writer Gail Buxton 300-BIRD

Baker sanctuary steward Christopher Murray 219-8425

Chaetura Canyon sanctuary stewards

Georgean & Paul Kyle 266-3861

Signal Smoke Editor Tess Sherman 300-BIRD

rare Bird Alert Kenny Anderson [email protected]

TrAVis AUdUBON 512-300-BIRD (2473)

[email protected]

2 s i G N A L s M O K E / Jan/Feb 2013 T r A V i s A U d U B O N

Travis Audubon Committee Chairs

About Signal Smoke

Mission StatementTravis Audubon promotes the enjoyment, understanding,

and conservation of native birds and their habitats.

“Then a wren in the privet began to sing. He waspositively drenched with enthusiasm, I don’t know why.”

Mary Oliver is one of my favorite poets. Last fall, a birding friend sent me an interview with Oliver relating to her latest collection of poems

entitled “A Thousand Mornings,” in which this quote is found.

The phrase “drenched with enthusiasm” stood out and has stayed with me since first reading it. It reminds me of our Travis Audubon members who are enthusiastic about all things bird, from field trips to the latest bird app to habitat preservation.

That enthusiasm and passion binds us as members of this organization. Sharing it with others who are not yet “drenched” will increase Travis Audubon’s potential impact on birding and conservation.

I encourage you to reach out to a new birder or a non-birder and share with them your enthusiasm for birds and Travis Audubon.

Caroline C. Jones

From the Travis Audubon President

Habitat Conservation Laurie Foss 300-BIRD Education Byron Stone 970-5154 Frances Cerbins 300-BIRD Field Trips Jeff Patterson 487-2755 Terry Banks 300-BIRD Hornsby Bend Cullen Hanks 300-BIRD Hospitality Susan Moak 925-4590 Latin America Bob Warneke 300-BIRD Monthly Meeting Coordinators Shelia Hargis 300-BIRD Laurie Foss 300-BIRD Publications Tess Sherman 300-BIRD Sanctuary Terri Siegenthaler 300-BIRD Youth Education Nancy Manning 300-BIRD Urban Habitat Lynn Hill 300-BIRD Nancy Townsend 300-BIRD

Subscription InformationSignal Smoke (ISSN 1931-9282) is published six times yearly. Subscription is a mem ber ship bene fit. To join, use the form on the back page, or go to www.travisaudubon.org for an online form. For address or subscription changes, call 512.300.BIRD (2473) or e-mail [email protected]. USPS does not forward Signal Smoke. No part of this publication may be reproduced without per-mission in writing from Travis Audubon. Copyright © 2013.

Newsletter DeadlineThe submissions deadline is the first day of the month preceding the first month of publi-cation (for example, June 1 for the July/Au-gust issue). Sub mit uncopyright ed arti cles, an nounce ments, and art to Nancy Manning at [email protected]. Sub mis sions by e mail or on a CD are pre ferred but not re-quired. Call Nancy at 300-BIRD if you have questions.

Signal Smoke is printed on recycled paper with soy ink.

T r A V i s A U d U B O N s i G N A L s M O K E / Jan/Feb 2013 3

2012 Fundraiser continuedCounting all donations and sales, the awards luncheon raised almost $69,000. President Caroline C. Jones said the 2012 luncheon set a record for fundraising: “Without a doubt, the event was a success. The support from our members and guests provided funds to fully pay for the latest land acquisition at Chaetura Canyon and to continue the good programs we provide.

“We had hardworking volunteers and generous sponsors whose support we truly appreciate,” she added. “A special treat was the presence of the honorees from each of the three years the event has been held.”

Jorjanna Price

Special thanks to our Victor Emanuel Conservation Awards Luncheon 2012 corporate sponsors!

Monica Rose Photography


Travis Audubon takes Explore and Restore to Pecan Springs ElementaryThanks to a grant from the Shield Ayres Foundation, Travis Audubon was able to introduce its popular Explore and Restore program to the children of Pecan Springs Elementary in the fall of 2012. All photos this page by Nancy Manning.

Explore and Restore News

Kids split into three groups to learn about the animals, plants, soil, and topography of Blair Woods. They are taught to identify native flora and fauna, read maps, use GPS devices, and learn about conservation issues such as erosion.

The next week, the children visited Blair Woods to put their new skills to use, and helped restore the property by clearing invasive plants. On this particular day, Carter Smith stopped by to join the fun.

Finally, Travis Audubon staff visited the school again to help the students make presentations about their findings to present to their classmates.


Monthly Meeting InformationTravis Audubon Monthly Meetings - 7:00 pm

NOTE: New location for general membership meetings First Presbyterian Church at 8001 Mesa Dr. Austin TX 78731 – Doors open at 6:30 for social time.

Refreshments will be provided. No monthly meetings are held during June, July, August, or December.

Thursday, January 17, 2013“Birds and Birding in Chiapas, Mexico”Speaker: Brock Huffman

Our January speaker, Brock Huffman, will discuss a project that he established in the State of Chiapas, Mexico, to train local, indigenous people to be bird guides. With 733 species of birds reported in Chiapas, the state is filled with wildly beautiful landscapes, rich indigenous culture, and impressive Mayan archaeological sites. Chiapas has habitats ranging from arid scrub to rain forest and humid pine-oak highlands, making birding eco-tourism a natural way to support conservation there. Come learn about this exciting project and some of the cool birds of Chiapas.

Brock Huffman, a longtime San Antonio birder and a lawyer in private practice for 44 years, began Spanish refresher courses in March 2006 through an immersion course based in San Cristóbal de las Casas. Chiapas is the southernmost state in Mexico, where very little English is spoken. While in San Cristóbal, Brock and his Spanish instructor, Daniel Soto, spent many weekends traveling to the lowlands for birding. Chiapas is home to the Lacandón forest, and the Mayan archaeological sites of Palenque, Bonampak, Yaxchilán, and Toniná. Throughout their travels, they routinely asked if local bird guides were available to accompany them. Surprisingly, despite the vast wealth of birds of great beauty and rarity, they found no local guides. Thereafter, Brock determined that he was going to train some local guides. Come to the meeting to hear the rest of the story.

Brock Huffman (right) & Bob Warneke. Photo credit: Laurie Foss

Volunteer Appreciation EventJanuary 12, 2013, from 2:00 – 4:00 PMAGE Building at 3710 Cedar St. in Austin, TX

If you have volunteered for Travis Audubon during 2012, please join us for our annual Volunteer Appreciation Event. We’ll provide food, fun, door prizes and will honor one very special volunteeer.

Last year’s Volunteer Appreciation Event. Photo credit: Nancy Manning

Thursday, February 21, 2013“On the Trail of a Vanishing Ornithologist”Speaker: Kathleen Kaska

Our February speaker will be Kathleen Kaska, author of The Man Who Saved the Whooping Crane: The Robert Porter Allen Story. This book, a true story set in the 1940s and '50s, is about Audubon ornithologist Robert Porter Allen. His mission was to journey into the Canadian wilderness to save the last flock of whooping cranes before encroaching development wiped out their nesting site, sending them into extinction. This story is timely and will capture the heart of anyone who appreciates wildlife conservation and enjoys a true adventure story. The Robert Porter Allen story is best described as “Indiana Jones meets John James Audubon.” Kathleen will discuss the serendipitous events which led to the writing of the book, the dangers the severely endangered whooping cranes still face, and the continued efforts to save them from extinction.

Kathleen Kaska is a writer of fiction, nonfiction, travel articles, and stage plays. She recently completed The Man Who Saved the Whooping Crane, (University Press of Florida) and views it as her most challenging endeavor. Kathleen also writes two mystery series and is a frequent contributor to Texas Highways magazine. She is a birder who lived in Austin before moving to Washington. She splits her time between the Pacific Northwest and the Texas coast.

Book cover photo courtesy of Kathleen Kaska

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING SPONSORTravis Audubon would like to thank, Audio Systems, the sponsor of our November general membership meeting, for their generous support.

www.audiosystems.com1102 West Koenig Lane, Austin, TX 78756(512) 451-5736


NATURALIST’S CALENDAR

by Bill Reiner

photo by Robert Baumgardner

In the frosty January dawn, it is hard to imagine anything can be as lively as the feathered sprite dancing in the tree branches before you. But there it is, an olive-green bundle of raw

energy goggling you through white-ringed eyes, making even the chickadees of the mixed flock seem lethargic. As if flitting through the branches and hovering at the tips of twigs isn’t enough activity, the Ruby-crowned Kinglet also flicks its wings almost constantly.

The bird’s behavior may remind you of someone who has had too much coffee. And the comparison seems even more apt when another kinglet comes close: your bird acts enraged at the invasion of its personal space, and vigorously gives chase. If he’s a male, he may flash the vermilion patch that gives his species its name.

The mixed flock may also include Golden-crowned Kinglets, the only other kinglets found in North America. Instead of eye-rings, Golden-crowns have a broad white stripe above each eye. The yellow crown patch, between bold black borders, is not concealed, though males do have a hidden central orange stripe that they will display much as a male Ruby-crown does.

Golden-crowns are a little smaller, and their body plumage is a little grayer, less green, than that of their cousins. Though they hover and flit in much the same way, their wing-flicking is less persistent. In general, they just seem a bit more relaxed.

Ruby-crowns are by far the more common of the kinglets in Austin, which is near the center of their winter range. Golden-crowns may remain on parts of their boreal spruce-forest breeding range all year; those that do migrate often stop short of our latitude.

What is amazing is that these small birds – entirely or at least primarily insect-eating – can weather the temperate winter at all. Like most birds, they are diurnal. To find food, they rely upon vision that is not acute enough for them to function well at night. Short winter days searching diligently for enough food to sustain through long nights of deprivation are a challenge for all birds. As insect prey becomes scarce in the winter, most insectivorous birds migrate south to balmy climes where the food is more plentiful. Yet the kinglets hang tough.

Compounding the challenge of short days and scarce food are the colder temperatures. Unless they go dormant or migrate, all “warm-blooded” animals must deal with the challenge of maintaining a constant body temperature. This challenge is particularly difficult for small birds, who have much greater surface area from which to lose heat.

To put some numbers to the problem: A laboratory experiment with House Sparrows found that, at a constant 85°F, the birds could survive 67.5 hours without food. However, at 5°F, those House Sparrows could only last 15 hours without food – which is less than the length of an average January night in, say, International Falls, Minnesota. And at particularly cold temperatures, the birds would not be able to survive a typical winter night anywhere, holding on for only 10 hours at -20°F and 7 hours at -30°F. For House Sparrows to survive these extremes, they must find shelter.

Kinglets are much smaller than House Sparrows, so, judging by size alone, they should not survive extreme cold. In fact, cold temperatures appear to be the reason Ruby-crowned Kinglets evacuate higher latitudes during the winter. But Golden-crowned Kinglets are even smaller! How could they possibly do it?

Author-scientist and Maine outdoorsman Bernd Heinrich tested the insulating properties of a Golden-crowned Kinglet’s feathers. He found that the body of a dead kinglet took 2½ times longer to cool when it was fully-feathered than it did after it had been plucked. More than 8% of the bird’s mass was feathers, and most of those were insulating feathers rather than flight feathers.

Golden-crowned Kinglets also appear to roost communally for warmth. Russian studies of the closely related Goldcrest of Europe found that two Goldcrests huddled together reduced each bird’s heat loss by 23%, and three together reduced loss by 37%. Ruby-crowns, by comparison, apparently always roost singly.

Feathers and warm neighbors can slow the heat drain, but not stop it. Golden-crowned Kinglets may resort to hypothermia (allowing their body temperature to drop below their normal 111°F while they sleep) when they have ingested too few calories during the day. However, they still must maintain their body temperature above a lethal minimum. How could an insect-eating bird find enough food do that during the boreal winter?

Professor Heinrich explored that question, too. He found that Golden-crowned Kinglets were adept at finding caterpillars in the branches of trees. In particular, he found they ate large numbers of the larvae of geometrid moths. Geometrids are common and widespread, and entomologists had long known that many larvae (often called “inch-worms”) spend the northern winter coccooned as pupae deep in the soil, safe below the frost line. But no one had known that some geometrids could be active as caterpillars in the middle of winter. Well, no humans knew this. The kinglets not only knew about them, but depended upon them as a food source, allowing the birds to withstand frequent night-time temperatures that would freeze exposed flesh in minutes.

Even with their adaptations, many kinglets succumb to cold weather and the rigors of migration each year. Their lively dispositions belie the fact that they are truly living life on the edge.

References included Winter World, by Bernd Heinrich, and The Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds, by John K. Terres.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Photo credit: Hemant Kulkami at www.flickr.com/photos/_hemant_/


Neighborhood Open House at Blair WoodsTravis Audubon hosted an Open House on October 13th for our “upstream” neighbors at Blair Woods. After enjoying lunch and learning about the history of Blair Woods, 38 neighbors took tours of the tract while answering riddles about the habitat. Adults and children alike enjoyed participating in a native seed activity, which started with making paper and water “mush” that was poured into cooker cutters and drained. They then sprinkled native seeds on top, dried their creations on paper plates, and took them home to plant in their yards.

The Neighborhood Open House was part of the Fellows grant received from TogetherGreen. The purpose of this grant was to identify homes in the Blair Woods drainage basin and begin outreach efforts to increase neighbors’ awareness of their connection to the preserve and the shared waterway. We hope that as our neighbors become more connected to Blair Woods, they will become more actively engaged in our restoration efforts there.

Nancy Manning

Dewayne Lofton with nephews, showing off their native seed creations.

Sam Overton and Jackie Williams enjoying the native seed activity (Chimney Swift Tower in background.) Photos by Nancy Manning.

Travis Audubon thanks the 2012 Holiday Party auction donors for their generous support.

At the top of our notes this month must be our heartfelt thanks to all of the donors at this year’s Victor Emanuel Luncheon who helped “Burn the Mortgage” on the most

recent property acquisitions to Chaetura Canyon. And what an amazing job by all Travis Audubon staff and volunteers!

Wildlife news was large and small over the past couple of months. The “large” was Mama Coyote. Although the pack is usually heard at night rather than seen during the day, we did get our first actual glimpse of her disappearing over the canyon rim on one of our monthly avian point counts. And our trail cam captured a rather good look at her. With good weight, big bushy tail and lustrous coat, she seems to be safe and doing well in the canyon.

One of the “small” was the influx of irregular fall and winter avian visitors. Golden-crowned Kinglets are not present every year,


Notes from Chaetura Canyon

Coyote on the Rim Tail. (game camera)

but when they are the numbers are high – this is definitely one of those years. Staying mostly in the moist lower canyon, their high-pitched calls were ubiquitous throughout October, November, and into December.

The other “small” was our blessing of being included in the local southward invasion of Red-breasted Nuthatches. For several days in early October, before they were actually seen,

we were hearing the unmistakable “beep, beep, beep” which resembles a child’s toy tin horn. Finally, an individual was seen traveling with other upside down feeding resident Titmice and Chickadees. We were ultimately able to identify three separate individuals: one each male, female, and a possible hatchling-year. Was this a

family? We like to think so. Camera and long lens proved useless, so we set a video camera at the dripper for a couple of hours and were able to grab a few decent frames (shown with a Northern Cardinal). We don’t see these very special birds on the sanctuary but once every decade or so. During our fifteen years of banding operations we only captured and banded one individual, so having three making themselves at home was a real treat. They were still frequent at the feeders and dripper in early December.

Habitat restoration continues to be a priority. Extended drought conditions (no rain in November!) are making

the effort more challenging. However, the resilience of our native flora never ceases to amaze. In February we will be doing some work on Little Beaver Hill – the latest addition to the sanctuary. This will be a unique opportunity to haul brush downhill rather than uphill, and we invite you to join us for Stewardship Day on February 10th. After the brush-hauling is done, we plan to seed selected areas for wildflowers, native grasses, and understory plants. Check the announcement in this issue of Signal Smoke, watch the TAS weekly E-Blasts, or contact us ([email protected]) for more information. It is getting better all the time at Chaetura Canyon. Come see for yourself!

Georgean and Paul KyleSanctuary Stewards

Annual Stewardship Day at Chaetura CanyonHaving trouble keeping that New Year’s resolution to be more active and work off a few pounds? Join us at Chaetura Canyon for our annual Stewardship Day for some hill climbing, brush removal, food and fellowship.

The event will start with a continental breakfast followed by a walk of the sanctuary stopping at the various sites where work is needed. After a few of hours of labor we will adjourn to the deck for lunch.

Date: Sunday, February 10

Time: 8:00 am Meet, greet, and eat 8:30 Trail walk and survey of work to be done 9:00 ‘till 12:00 Brush removal 12:00 Lunch on the deck overlooking the canyon

This will be a physical outdoor work event on sloping terrain, so dress appropriately with sturdy shoes or boots. Consider dressing in layers; bring work gloves, sunscreen, and a hat.

This event is limited to ten volunteers, so reserve your spot today! Contact Stewards Georgean and Paul Kyle: [email protected]

Northern Cardinal and Red-breasted Nuthatch at the dripper. (video still)


Notes from Chaetura Canyon Baker Sanctuary NewsOnce again another year has flown by and it is time to look

back on what was accomplished at Baker Sanctuary during 2012. Like last year, this year saw two surveys for Golden-

cheeked Warblers (GCWA): the traditional 100-acre survey which I mentioned in the last issue as well as a less rigorous presence/absence survey centered on the open areas found along Lime Creek Road. Data from the 100-acre survey suggests there may be approximately 69 breeding pairs of GCWA on the preserve, an estimate that is consistent with results from the prior season. The Open Area survey also yielded data very similar to last season with GCWA detections greatest in the northeast portion of the plot (behind Baker Cabin) and the fewest in the southeast.

The breeding bird point count survey was again conducted in mid-May with the help of six brave volunteers. Spreading out across the entire sanctuary, volunteers bushwhacked to 37, sometimes cryptic, survey locations, beginning at the crack of dawn and continuing throughout the mid-morning. Of the 44 species recorded, not surprisingly, the top three detected were Carolina Chickadee, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and the Northern Cardinal. The Black-crested Titmouse, formerly of the top three in 2011, was edged out by the upstart gnatcatchers.

Last year I mentioned that the Jollyville Plateau Salamander, along with three other closely related salamander species, was under review by the USFWS for endangered species status. The review process appears to be drawing to a close and I expect a ruling will be made sometime next year, but, then again, the gears of government do seem to grind slowly.

Florally speaking, efforts have been undertaken to better understand and improve vegetation communities found on Baker Sanctuary. Volunteers collected data on 39 long-term vegetation monitoring plots throughout the sanctuary. These plots will be used to gather baseline data on representative vegetation communities, an effort that will help guide and assess the effectiveness of land management decisions. In addition to monitoring efforts, the battle against invasive plants raged on during 2012. The wet spring promoted an awe-inspiring resurgence of Malta Star-thistle which carpeted the Baker Cabin/JAEC area as well as scattered locations to the south of Lime Creek Road. Approximately 4.2 cubic yards of the thistle was pulled by hand and the remainder was treated with herbicide. The Tree-of-heaven grove discovered in 2010 continued to be monitored and treated with the pulling of 1,239 seedlings and suckers and 28 individuals stump-cut. In the same area 15 Chinaberry seedlings were also removed. The 18 mid-sized Jujube trees removed from the Baker Cabin area last year have since re-sprouted vigorously

from suckers. The labor intensive process of digging up the roots has begun with the removal of 350 suckers, approximately a third of the visible population. In addition to the Baker Cabin infestation, a substantial population of Jujube was discovered approximately 300 meters to the southwest of the steward’s residence. Effective removal of the numerous, mature, 25 to 35-foot trees will be a substantial undertaking, especially in light of their propensity to re-sprout as suckers. Other invasive plants were removed when encountered throughout the sanctuary, including Johnson grass near the steward’s residence, 667 Common Mullein from the Baker Cabin area, and seven medium-sized Common Figs scattered throughout the southern portion of the sanctuary.

In addition to the annual Youth Nature Camps held in March and October, Baker hosted its first session of a new program, the Hiking Club. For six weeks during the fall, fifteen 4th and 5th grade students

from Leander ISD’s Deer Creek Elementary spent two and a half hours at the sanctuary, hiking an average of two miles a session while learning about geology, ecology, and botany in the process. Spring of 2012 should witness the second installment of the club as we expand the program and learn how best to

help local schools meet the needs of their students. Last year also saw an uptick in speaking engagements as a concerted effort was made to educate students and the public on the Golden-cheeked Warbler and the role of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve. I gave eight presentations, reaching an estimated 680 students, teachers, and community members. Not including organized events such as guided hikes and Travis Audubon activities, Baker Sanctuary experienced a total of 239 visitations. Of those visitations, 187 were by Travis Audubon members and 52 were by non-members.

A total of 487.5 volunteer hours were logged at Baker on a variety of activities, including: leading guided hikes; teaching at the Youth Nature Camps; performing fence and trail maintenance; JAEC native garden improvements; installing and collecting data at vegetation monitoring plots; removing invasive species; assessing trails; and conducting point counts. Once again, many thanks to the volunteers who made it all possible, with a special thanks to Diane Sherrill for the stunning overhaul of the JAEC native plant garden and Will Smith for the beautiful new cemetery fence. The upcoming year promises to be even busier than the last, so keep tuned and please help out when you can.

Please note that Baker Sanctuary will be closed to all visitors for the annual White-tailed Deer hunt from October 29th through January 20th.

Christopher MurrayBaker Sanctuary Steward

Above, Northern Mockingbird nestlings. At right, Wood Sorrel. Photo credits: Christopher Murray

1 0 s i G N A L s M O K E / Jan/Feb 2013 T r A V i s A U d U B O N

TA Field Trips Jan/Feb 2013

Due to the large number of events and limited space in Signal Smoke, readers are asked to visit the Field Trips page at www.travisaudubon.org for complete trip details and possible updates. Although emails to the registrar are preferred, those who do not have email access can register for any field trip by contacting Jeff Patterson at [email protected] or 512-487-2755.

Date/Time Location/Description Registration Required? Contact Registration

Tuesday, October 2, 7:30 am to 9:30 am

Two-hour Tuesday! at Northeast Metro Park, led by Dan Callaway

No

Dan Callaway

Saturday, October 6, 8:00 am to 10:00 am

Beginners' Bird Walk at Brushy Creek Park

No

Virginia Rose or Judith Bailey

Saturday, October 6, 8:45 am to 10:45 am

Laguna Gloria with Sam Fason

Yes

Sam Fason

[email protected]

Tuesday, October 9, 7:00 am to noon

Super Tuesday! at Aquarena Springs and Spring Lake Natural Area in San Marcos, led by Deb and Lee Wallace

Yes

Deb or Lee Wallace

[email protected]

Saturday, October 13, 7:00 am and 4:00 pm

Monthly Bird Count at Hornsby Bend

No

Eric Carpenter

Sunday, October 14, all day (come out at any time)

The Big Sit! at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge

No

Shelia Hargis


Two-hour Tuesday! at Onion Creek Park (Greenbelt), led by Stan VanSandt

No

Stan VanSandt

Saturday, October 20, 7:30 am-11:00 am

Hornsby Bend Monthly Bird Walk

No

Eric Stager

Saturday, October 20, 7:30 am-11:00 am

Commons Ford with Ed Fair

Yes

Ed Fair

[email protected]

Sunday, October 21, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, co-sponsored by TA and Friends of Balcones Canyonlands NWR

Yes

Diane Sherrill

[email protected]


Two-hour Tuesday! at Big Webberville Park, led by Ken Zaslow

No

Ken Zaslow

Tuesday, October 30, 5:30 am to 2:00 pm

Super Tuesday! at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historical Park, led by Terry Banks

Yes

Terry Banks

[email protected]

Travis Audubon January 2013 Field Trips at a glance

Date/Time Location/Description RegistrationRequired

Contact Registration

Saturday, January 58:00 to 10:00am

Beginners' Bird WalkMeadow Lake in Round Rock

No George Kerr or ShirleyLaVergne


Laguna Gloriawith Sam Fason

Yes (16) Sam [email protected]

See TA Website.

Tuesday, January 87:00 am to 1:00 pm

Super Tuesday!In the Granger Lake area,with Ray and Ginny Steelman

Yes (12) Ray and GinnySteelman

[email protected]

January 10 12:00noonJanuary 13 5:00pm

Rio Grande Valley with JeffPatterson & Eric Stager

Yes (12) Jeff [email protected]

See TA Website.

Saturday, January 127:00am & 4:00pm

Monthly Bird CountHornsby Bend

No Eric Carpenter

Sunday, January 137:15am to 11:30am

Balcones Canyonlands NWRSimons Tract

Yes (15) Shelia [email protected]

www.friendsofbalcones.org

Sunday, January 13 Granger Lake Areawith Sam Fason


See TA Website.

Sunday, January 137:30am to 11:30am

Commons FordJanuary Bird Walk

Yes (15) Deb and Lee [email protected]

See TA Website.

Tuesday, January 157:00am to 10:30am

Super Tuesday!Commons Ford Ranch Parkled by Deb and Lee Wallace

Yes (12) Deb and Lee Wallace [email protected]


Hornsby BendMonthly Bird Walk

No Eric Stager


Two hour Tuesday!Platt Laneled by Ken Zaslow

No Ken [email protected]


Two hour Tuesday!Lake Pflugerville Parkled by Dan Callaway

No Dan Callaway


TA Field Trips Jan/Feb 2013Travis Audubon February 2013

Field Trips at a glance Date/Time Location/Description Registration

RequiredContact Registration

Saturday, February 28:00 to 10:00am

Beginners' Bird WalkNortheast Travis CountyMetro Park and LakePflugerville

No Virginia Rose or JudithBailey


Laguna Gloriawith Sam Fason


See TA Website.

Sunday, February 37:15am to 11:30am

Balcones Canyonlands NWR Yes (15) Craig [email protected]

www.friendsofbalcones.org

Tuesday, February 56:45am to noon

Super Tuesday!Tejas Campwith Ray & Ginny Steelman

Yes (12) Ray and GinnySteelman

[email protected]

Saturday, February 27:30am to 11:30am

Commons FordFebruary Bird Walk

Yes (15) Shelia [email protected]

See TA Website.

Saturday, February 97:00am & 4:00pm

Monthly Bird CountHornsby Bend

No Eric Carpenter

Saturday, February 97:00am dusk

Fort Hoodwith Gil Eckrich

Yes (12) Jeff [email protected]

See TA Website.

Tuesday, February 127:30am to 10:30am

Super Tuesday!South Travis County Ponds,led by Ken Zaslow

Yes (12) Ken Zaslow [email protected]


Hornsby BendMonthly Bird Walk

No Eric Stager

Tuesday, February 196:00am to earlyafternoon

Super Tuesday!Inks Lake State Parkled by Terry Banks

Yes (12) Terry Banks [email protected]

Tuesday, February 267:30am to 9:30am

Two hour Tuesday!East Metropolitan Parkled by Dan Callaway

No Dan Callaway

YOUTH NATURE CAMP AT BAKER SANCTUARYTeaching our Youth Nature Campers to read maps and use a compass meant that after building their Cavity Nester bird homes, they could navigate their way to a very special place at Baker Sanctuary to hang their nest boxes. Our sanctuary steward and teacher extraordinaire, Chris Murray, chose the designated place in advance. The children had to rely upon their new orienteering skills to find their

special tree on a 690-acre sanctuary – a challenge they met with determination and joy. Photo by Valarie Bristol.

Travis Audubon would like to thank:

for their generous support of Youth Nature Camp


Travis Audubon ClassesTravis Audubon’s Waterfowl Identification Class Saturdays, January 5, 12, 26Begin the new year by learning how to identify those ducks! If you’ve been walking around Town Lake and wondering what kind of ducks you see, this class will provide you with answers. Travis Audubon Society is pleased to announce that Jean Martin will again teach the Waterfowl Identification Class. Jean taught the Beginning Birding Class for over 10 years, and has over 20 years’ birding experience. This course will focus on ducks, grebes, geese, and other waterfowl found in Texas, especially during the winter months. It is well suited for birders who have completed an introductory class or for those who have ignored ducks because “all those females look alike.”

The class will consist of two lecture/photo presentations and three field trips. The lectures will be on Saturdays, Jan. 5 and 12, from 8 to 10 am, each followed by a field trip, which will last until about 2 p.m. Locations will be announced at class time. A third field trip will be conducted on Saturday, Jan. 26 outside the Austin area and lasting most of the day. Tuition is $55 for Travis Audubon members and $65 for nonmembers. The class will be limited to 14 participants. Register online at www.travisaudubon.org/education/adult-classes/waterfowl-identification For more information, contact Lynn Hill at [email protected]

Purple Martin WorkshopSaturday, February 9, 2013, 1-4 pmDo you want to know more about Purple Martins, how to set up a colony, and be a Purple Martin landlord? Are you an existing landlord, wanting to meet other Martin aficionados and learn tips? Have you always wanted to be a citizen scientist, gathering useful data that can help Martin conservation efforts? If so, this class is for you. The first Purple Martins typically arrive in Austin at the end of January, so this class will give you information you can put to use right away, either at your own colony, or observing Martins at Hornsby Bend or any other existing colony.

This class will focus on the life cycle of Purple Martins and how you can participate as a Purple Martin landlord or helper. You will learn the maintenance routine recommended by the Purple Martin Conservation Association, as well as how to record and submit nesting data that is compiled nationally. We will also include hands-on nest preparation and discussion at the Hornsby Bend colony. Class participants are invited to participate through mid-June as helpers and observers, as the class teachers maintain and record the 2013 Purple Martin season at Hornsby Bend. Later in the summer, we will invite class members to join us in educating others at the giant Purple Martin roost at Highland Mall.

Andy and Julia Balinsky have been the stewards of the Hornsby Bend Purple Martin colony since 2003. They have watched over 1,200 Purple Martin babies fledge during that time. They have also spent many evenings watching the Martin pre-migration staging roost in the late summer. Class participants should bring paper and pen for taking notes. We will provide data gathering forms and an electronic Excel version for those interested. Snacks will be provided. Tuition for the class is $15 for Travis Audubon members and $20 for non-members. To register use the following link: www.travisaudubon.org/education/adult-classes/purple-martin-workshop. Contact Nancy Radding at [email protected] with questions. Registration cut-off date will be February 1, 2013.

Bluebird Workshop Saturday, January 26, 9 – 12 pmThree species of bluebird occur annually in Texas, and Eastern Bluebirds will nest in suitable habitats in Central Texas if appropriate cavities or nest-boxes are available. Travis Audubon will sponsor a Bluebird Workshop conducted by nationally-known bluebird expert Pauline Tom on Saturday morning, 9-12pm. January 26.

Pauline is President of the Texas Bluebird Society and has conducted popular workshops on bluebird husbandry in many different parts of the state. She lives in Central Texas and is widely regarded as one of the foremost experts on and advocates for bluebirds in the state of Texas. Her workshop on January 28 will cover the following:

best practices for nest-box installation to attract bluebirds- gardening for bluebirds- how to recognize and improve appropriate bluebird habitat- how to interpret bluebird activity outside of the nest-box- how to deter predators and alien competitors- the process of egg-laying and incubation- how to “age” nestlings- recordkeeping/record-sharing with NestWatch-

During the workshop, Pauline will take participants outdoors to view bluebird habitat and man-made nest-boxes. Workshop fee is $15 for TA members and $20 for non-members. Older teens are welcome and younger with an adult. Free “Texas Nestbox” with $15.00 Texas Bluebird Society membership available at the workshop. To register for the class follow the link: www.travisaudubon.org/education/adult-classes/bluebird-workshop If you have any questions, contact Frances Cerbins, [email protected]

Beginning Backyard BirdingClassroom Session Thursday February 7Field trip Saturday February 9 or 10How many different species of birds can I attract to my yard? What woodpeckers can I expect to see here? What is that song I am hearing? Are there any plants that are bird magnets?

If you want to get acquainted with common backyard birds that are here year round, and common winter visitors that are in the neighborhood, this class is for you. The class includes two sessions. The classroom session will be held on Thursday evening, Feb. 7 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at a NW Austin location near Loop 360/Hwy 183. The following Saturday or Sunday morning, Feb. 9 or 10, from 7:30-11 a.m. the second class session will be held at a Best of Texas Backyard Wildlife Habitat in the same area, where we will do some armchair birding and investigate bird-friendly plants. You will have fun learning Austin’s backyard birds and what it takes to keep them happy. If time allows, we will visit a local preserve to practice identification skills.

The class will be taught by Jane Tillman, who is the chair of the TA Urban Habitat Committee. Tuition will be $25 for TA members and $30 for non-members. Class limit is 10 participants for each field trip day. Participants will choose to attend either the Saturday or Sunday morning session at registration. To register, go to the following link: www.travisaudubon.org/education/adult-classes/beginning-backyard-birding Please contact Jane at [email protected] for more information.


eBird WorkshopFebruary 28Laurie Foss of Travis Audubon’s Conservation Committee will be presenting a workshop on how to use eBird, a growing online database that is revolutionizing the way the birding community reports and accesses information about birds. Now is your chance to learn how to submit your own observations as well as to view and explore this vast database of records on bird distribution and abundance.

Join us on February 28th from 5:30 - 7:30 pm at the Austin Computer Learning Center in the AGE building (3710 Cedar St) for a workshop and discover all about eBird! The workshop is open to both new and veteran eBird users. Please feel free to bring all those questions you’ve been waiting to ask. Computers will be provided. Please bring a list of birds that you observed either recently or in the past so that you can create an eBird account and enter that checklist during the class. The tuition for the workshop is $30 for Travis Audubon members and $35 for non-members. Limit 12 participants. For more information contact Laurie Foss at [email protected] or at 751-3677. To register go to the following link: www.travisaudubon.org/education/adult-classes/ebird-workshop

Bird Song and VocalizationWednesdays, February 20, March 20, April 3, and May 1With field trips on the following Saturdays (Feb. 23, Mar 23, Apr 6, May 4)Learning birdsong is a difficult, but rewarding undertaking. Highly skilled birders rely on bird vocalizations for many of their field identifications. Some closely related species are only distinguishable in the field by their songs or calls. However, with over 380 species listed on the Austin Region checklist, even learning local birdsong can be an intimidating proposition. Therefore, you are invited to join Jeff Patterson for this class intended to improve your skills with, and understanding of, bird vocalizations.This class is designed for intermediate birders who want to begin to develop or sharpen their skills. It will focus on the breeding birds and winter Texans that regularly vocalize in the Central Texas area. While learning birdsongs, flight calls, contact calls, scolds and other vocalizations for field identification are the primary goals of the class, it will also include lectures on such topics as: why birds sing; the vocal anatomy of birds; use of spectrograms; dialects; diagnostic birdsongs; resources; and other subjects related to bird vocalization.

The species that vocalize and the types of vocalizations change throughout the year; therefore, the class and subsequent fieldtrips will be held once per month from February to May 2013. Classroom sessions will be held at a local venue on the Wednesday evenings of February 20, March 20, April 3, and May 1 from 6:30-9:00 pm. Local field trips will follow on the Saturday mornings of February 23, March 23, April 6, and May 4 starting at sunrise and progressing to 11:00 or noon. Jeff is a life-long birder who developed a curiosity for birdsong during the 1980s. With the current availability and variety of birdsong resources, he has been able to improve his birdsong knowledge over the past few years and is eager to interact with interested students. The class tuition is $75 for Travis Audubon members and $90 for non-members. To register for the class go to the following link:www.travisaudubon.org/education/adult-classes/bird-song-and-vocalization.For questions or to be put on the waiting list please contact Jackie Davis at [email protected], or by phone at 512-292-6261. Registration is limited to 15 participants.

Travis Audubon’s Introduction to Birds and Birding WinterWednesdays, February 20, 27, March 13, 20, 6:15 – 8:45With field trips on following weekendsAre you starting to notice birds and would like to know more about them? Have you been watching birds casually and would now like to take a more structured approach to learning more about them? Are you looking for a good excuse to get outside and connect with nature? If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, then the Introduction to Birds and Birding Class is possibly the class for you. The class is for those who want to take an active role in seeking out birds and learning to identify them. (If you’re interested in learning to ID the birds in your backyard but not interested in traveling to different locations to find birds, consider taking the Beginning Backyard Birding class offered by Travis Audubon instead of this class.) This class promises to transform your relationship to birds and start you down the road toward a life-long love and enjoyment of birds. Instruction will be provided during four classroom sessions and four field trips to popular birding locations around Austin. Attendance at all the classroom sessions and all field trips is highly recommended.

The class will cover a variety of topics including: how to identify birds; field guides and binoculars; bird identification of many species of Central Texas birds; bird vocalizations; where to go birding in Central Texas; bird migration; and bird conservation. Tuition includes a copy of the sixth edition of the National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, our “text book” for the class. No prior birding experience is necessary. Shelia Hargis is the instructor for this class. She has been birding for 16 years and loves birds! She spends most of her free time birding or thinking about birds and her passion and enthusiasm for birds and birding is infectious. Shelia has given presentations and classes on numerous bird topics, regularly leads birding field trips and is currently on the Travis Audubon Board of Directors and the Travis Audubon Habitat Conservation Committee. Shelia will be assisted by Laurie Foss who is as passionate and knowledgeable about birds as Shelia.

The classroom portion of this workshop is limited to 24 participants and will be held on Wednesday evenings, February 20, 27, March 13, and 20 (6:15 - 8:45 PM) in the Hwy 183/Loop 360 area. The field trips will be held the following weekend. Half of the class will have their field trips on Saturday mornings, February 23, March 2, 16 and 23, and the other half of the class will have their field trips on Sunday mornings, February 24, March 3, 17 and 24. Field trips will typically start around 7:30 AM and end between 11:30 AM and 2:00 PM.

Participants will need to bring paper and a pen to the classroom sessions. Binoculars, hats, sturdy closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, and water are requirements for the field trips. There are a limited number of binoculars available for loan to students who don’t already have a pair. This class usually fills up quickly, so register early. Tuition is $95 for Travis Audubon members and $110 for non-members. To register use the following link: www.travisaudubon.org/education/adult-classes/introduction-to-birds-and-birding For more information about the class, contact Shelia Hargis at [email protected] or at 294-0272.

Our refund policy for class cancellation is available online at www.travisaudubon.org

1 4 s i G N A L s M O K E / Jan/Feb 2013 T r A V i s A U d U B O N s O c i E T Y

Commons Ford Metropolitan Park has been a favorite spot for Travis Audubon birders for some time, and no one has been a bigger fan than Ed Fair. When it was brought to his

attention (by Byron Stone, another well respected birder) that most of the park’s vegetation was invasive, non-native grasses, and that those grasses did not support the grassland birds and wildlife that are in decline as the prairies disappear, Ed decided to do something about it. The first planning meeting for Commons Ford Prairie Restoration Organization (CFPRO) was held in February 2010, and it has grown into a community organization composed of about 120 members.

The sole focus of CFPRO is to remove the non-native plant species in the 40-acre center tract of the park and restore the prairie back to native grasses, wildflowers, and the animals that need them.

This is a significant and environmentally-sound project, preserving the natural heritage, native vegetation, and wildlife. It also offers tremendous educational opportunities for the community.

Partnerships were formed with numerous organizations and individuals: Austin Parks and Recreation Department, Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP); USDA/ Natural Resources Conservation Service; Austin Parks Foundation; Native Prairies Association of Texas (NPAT); Travis Audubon Society; Native American Seed Company; and numerous individual volunteers.

The project has raised approximately $60,000 as of October 1, 2012, not including in-kind contributions and volunteer time. Research, grant writing, and soliciting have garnered significant funds from Austin Parks Foundation (who also acts as CFPRO’s charitable umbrella), TogetherGreen, Patagonia Stores, Field Guides, and private donations.

Phase I of the project has been completed. Implementing a plan prepared by NPAT, glyphosate treatments were applied in summer and fall of 2011. Drought conditions prevented the planned prescribed burn. Post-treatment tilling was done in February 2012. A seed mix of about 70 native species, created by Native American Seed, with input from BCP staff and other plant and birding experts, was planted by Native American Seed in late February 2012.

Heavy spring and summer rains resulted in strong initial wildflower growth as well as early successional native grasses. As of mid-fall 2012, the prairie is seeding out appropriately with an expected result of strong growth of native plants in 2013.However, there is much more to be done. Removing invasives permanently will take persistence. Bermuda grass is still prevalent in some areas and needs to be retreated and the seed mix replanted in the treated area. Without this continuing work, the Bermuda grass and other non-natives will retake the prairie.

Education and fundraising efforts are under way to get us through 2013. Monthly walks with expert birders will occur, as well as several fun, festival/birding activities, community outreach, and school projects. Please consider joining CFPRO (it’s free!), attending some of the events, making a cash donation at www.austinparks.org/adopter-donations.html, or volunteering your time. Like us on Facebook. The people, plants, and animals of Commons Ford need you!

For more information, please see:www.commonsfordpro.blogspot.com/www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected] (membership)

Diane Sherrill

Commons Ford Prairie Restoration

Photo credits this page: Ed Fair


Business MembersTravis Audubon is delighted to recognize its

Business Members:

PMB Helin Donovan, LLP

To learn about the benefits of supporting Travis Audubon as a Business Member, please go to www.travisaudubon.org and click on Business Member,

or contact Travis Audubon at 512.300.BIRD (2473).

Many thanks to all our donors – your support is critical to the ongoing conservation and education efforts of Travis Audubon.

Our Donors

VieroJacque AustinMary BlackstockHayden BrooksDavid FischerThomas LinkerKelly LoganJane LowrimoreJ.P. PattersonElizabeth RuefliO. R. SchmidtElanor Sellstrom

WarblerLinda Aaker & Bob ArmstrongFrances & Oskar CerbinsBill and Ann EdwardsSarah HeatherSherry Matthews

In Memory of Homer RushingTodd JermstadDaesene Willmann

In Honor of Jo Wilson & Valarie BristolCarla Petievich

Fund-a-CauseBarbara AndersonDavid BambergerIlene BarrCarol Bennett

Darcy BontempoSam BurnesRuth BuskirkMarilyn CarterFrances CerbinsJoe ChristieDavid CroftCraig DamuthShannon DaviesJackie DavisAnne DonovanVictor EmanuelSam FasonFrancie FrederickTerry FriggelColleen GardnerLiz GusheeBryan HaleCullen HanksShelia HargisFaye HarrisJoseph HartJoan HendrixMyron HessJoy HesterSam HouseholderBurgess JacksonGrahame JonesSusan KaderkaMary KellyMary Jo KennardRoy KleinsasserClif LaddLaura Legget

Stephen LivingstonCindy LoefflerTom LoomisBarry LyonJulia MarsdenRaeanne & Gilbert MartinezSherry MatthewsWilliam MontgomeryChris MurrayTom NillesDennis PalafoxRex PeteetSteve PetersNancy PodioPenny PotterMariBen Ramsey & Karen KahanCarol RayJoanna ReesLouise RidlonLydia SaldanaAndy & Nona SansomMartha ScottPaula SmithTim StuartJan Summer

Colleen TheroitRobert ThorntonJane TillmanNancy TownsendJoseph TrungaleDeborah VolkerBob WarnekeJo Wilson

UnrestrictedD.D. CowardAlbert and Virginia SandersP.J. Stoner

Chaetura CanyonNancy Townsend Rootin’ Ridge Toymakers

Special thanks to the Peterson Charitable Trust and the Powell Foundation for their continued support of Travis Audubon.

Commons Ford Prairie Restoration


Nonprofit Org.U.s. Postage PaidPermit No. 2301

Austin, Texas

Travis AudubonYES! I want to enjoy the benefits of Travis Audubon chapter membership. Enroll me as a member of Travis Audubon. Enclosed is my check for:

$10 Youth Membership (up to age 18) $30 Individual Membership $45 Family Membership $75 Painted Bunting Membership (embroidered patch of

Painted Bunting) $100 Vireo Membership (embroidered patch of Vireo, bumper sticker) $250 Warbler Membership (Embroidered patch of War-

bler, one free class, VIP field trip) $1,000 Lifetime Membership (Special Lifetime Member em-

broidered patch, T-shirt, invitation to special events, VIP field trip)

T-shirt size (for Lifetime Memberships) _________________

This is a gift membership from ________________________

Name __________________________Phone _____________

Address __________________________________________

city ______________________ state ____ Zip __________

Email ___________________________________________

Visit the Travis Audubon Web site: www.travisaudubon.org

Travis Audubon3710 cedar streetBox 5Austin, TX. 78705

dated Material - dO NOT dELAY

Join your local Audubon chapter, Travis Audubon, by using the form at the right. Your dues will be put to use supporting local conservation, education, research projects, field trips,

and other Travis Audubon activities right here in Central Texas. We seek your support through your membership in our local chapter. To become a member of National Audubon, please go to their website at www.audubon.org. Don’t forget to include the National Audubon Source Code of 79M7 and the Travis Audubon Chapter code of W03, so Travis Audubon receives credit.

Join Travis Audubon now and support local birds, wildlife, and their habitatsTravis Audubon chapter members receive six issues a year of the Signal Smoke newsletter, priority sign-ups on local field trips, discounts on our educational classes, the opportunity to partici-pate in our e-mail group, attend our wonderful monthly lectures, access to our three sanctuaries, and more!

To join Travis AudubonMake your check payable to Travis Audubon and send it with this form to Travis Audubon, 3710 Cedar St., Box 5, Austin, TX 78705, or join online using any major credit card by going to www.travisaudubon.org and clicking on ‘Membership.’

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